I’ve reached the point where I plan vacations around gardens. If there’s a world-class botanical garden, historic estate, or hidden horticultural gem nearby, it’s going on the itinerary. During a recent two-week trip to Japan, I visited six gardens, with Kyoto’s enchanting Kokedera (Moss Temple) topping the list. Those visits reminded me that some of the world’s most inspiring gardens are right here in the United States. If you’re looking for ideas for your next trip, these are the five American gardens I never hesitate to recommend.
1. Huntington Library, Art Museum & Botanical Gardens: California
If you only have time to visit one botanical garden in California, make it The Huntington in San Marino. Spanning more than 130 acres, it features 16 themed gardens, including one of North America’s finest desert collections, a tranquil Japanese Garden, a Chinese Garden, a world-renowned rose garden, and a lush subtropical conservatory.
Whether you’re interested in drought-tolerant plants, roses, or exotic specimens, you’ll come away with endless inspiration and an appreciation for plants from around the world.
The Huntington is also home to an exceptional art museum with an outstanding permanent collection of American, European, and East Asian works, making it easy to spend an entire day exploring. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat, and allow plenty of time—there’s far more to see than you might expect.
2. James Rose Center: New Jersey
I first learned about this garden from an episode of one of my favorite television shows, This Old House. In addition to touring gardens, I love touring historic homes, so as soon as I discovered this spot, it shot to the top of my must-visit list.
Designed by pioneering landscape architect James Rose for his mother and sister, this small but influential garden in Ridgewood, New Jersey, proves that great design isn’t about size. Rose revolutionized American residential gardening by seamlessly blending architecture and nature into a single living space.
At the James Rose Center, the house and gardens have no clear boundaries. Walls of glass, trellises, and sliding screen doors blur the lines between indoors and out, creating a landscape that feels both intimate and expansive. Visitors can explore a series of garden rooms, inventive plant combinations, and creative uses of stone, water, and structure that remain just as inspiring for home gardeners today as they were decades ago. Now a nonprofit landscape research and study foundation, the James Rose Center also hosts seasonal lectures, exhibitions, and educational programs.
3. Portland Japanese Garden: Oregon
On a recent trip to Portland, I had the pleasure of visiting this spectacular garden. Frequently ranked among the world’s finest Japanese gardens outside Japan, this 12.5-acre sanctuary is designed to inspire a sense of peace and reflection. Meandering paths wind through moss-covered woodlands, past tranquil ponds, stone lanterns, meticulously pruned pines, and seasonal displays that include spring-blooming cherry trees and azaleas. In autumn, the Japanese maples put on one of the country’s most spectacular displays of fall color.
After exploring the gardens, stop by the Umami Café for a cup of expertly brewed Japanese tea (I love the iced barley tea) and a traditional sweet.
If you’ve still got the energy, head down the hill to the International Rose Test Garden. Visit between May and October and you’ll be rewarded with thousands of blooms from more than 610 varieties of roses, making it the perfect way to round out a day of garden hopping.
4. Longwood Gardens: Pennsylvania
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is horticulture on a grand scale. More than 1,100 acres are filled with spectacular seasonal flower displays, formal gardens, woodlands, meadows, and one of the country’s most impressive conservatories. The iconic fountain gardens, orchid displays, and year-round floral exhibitions mean there’s always something new to see, no matter when you visit.
One of my favorite spots is the Waterlily Court. I couldn’t believe the enormous leaves of the giant Amazon water lily, often called “platters,” which can grow up to 6 feet across. Watching them float across the surface of the water was every bit as impressive as the blooms themselves.
5. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: Florida
This is another destination that combines two of my favorite things: a beautiful house and an extraordinary garden. Originally built as the Gilded Age winter estate of industrialist James Deering, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, Florida, is now a national historic landmark that blends European-inspired formal gardens with South Florida’s lush tropical landscape.
Designed by Colombian landscape architect Diego Suarez and inspired by the great Italian Renaissance gardens, the grounds feature elegant fountains, sculpted hedges, orchid-filled courtyards, statuary, and winding pathways framed by palms and flowering trees overlooking Biscayne Bay. It’s a stunning example of how classical European garden design can be thoughtfully adapted to a subtropical climate, and every turn offers another picture-perfect view.
